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When the Press Isn’t Free, Democracy Isn’t Either

A defense of journalism in the face of hostility from the highest office

3 min readApr 19, 2025
Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash

When the Press Isn’t Free, Democracy Isn’t Either

A defense of journalism in the face of hostility from the highest office

“Freedom of the press is not just important to democracy, it is democracy.” — Walter Cronkite

In the United States, we believe the truth is protected. Those facts matter.

That democracy, while messy, ultimately relies on a shared commitment to accountability. But what happens when the loudest voices in power turn their backs on those commitments — and then try to convince the public to do the same?

Here’s the truth they don’t want you to hear:
If the press isn’t free, the people aren’t either.

Journalism Is the Immune System of Democracy

Let’s stop pretending this is about “bias.” Journalism isn’t perfect. Reporters are human. But legitimate journalism — fact-checked, verified, accountable — is the immune system that fights off the viruses of corruption, propaganda, and authoritarianism.

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Libby Winkler
Libby Winkler

Written by Libby Winkler

Freelance writer who loves exploring the messiness of humanity, while poking around in nooks of life and shining light on all the things that make us complex..

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